2025 Year in Review
Neighborhood Comics Rundown of What Was
Another year down at the ol’ comic shop. Here’s a recap of how we fared.
New Team Member
Gabby joined our team this year, first in the Clubhouse coordinating shipping and now in the Bull St. store as a clerk and bookseller. Our team doesn’t change very often, so this is a big deal in our world. Welcome, Gabby!
Artist-in-Residence Program
This was an eclectic year in terms of style, age and experience for our artist-in-residence program. It was a great mix and every artist brought something different to the table. In particular, I’m grateful to the artists that led weekend workshops, spoke to visiting classes and hosted demonstrations. Midway through the year we rearranged the setup, giving the visiting artist more room to merchandise in the center of the store.
Creator Appearances
As with our AIRs, we hosted an incredible range of creators this year for signings and celebrations of their work. They included:
Michael Lee Harris (Motherfu*kin Monsters)
Edwin Galmon (Superwoman / Stitch)
Joey Weiser (The Littlest Fighter)
Andrew MacLean (Special guest, Free Comic Book Day)
Caroline and Katherine Shuda (Monster High)
Sarah Davidson (Jackson’s Wilder Adventures Vol 2)
Keith Browning (Blink and You’ll Miss It)
Dan Mazur (Will Eisner: A Comics Biography)
Rashad Doucet and Amar Shah (Wish I Was a Baller)
We also had many creators pop in throughout the year to sign books or speak with our team. We also hosted comedians for two sessions with Don’t Tell Comedy Savannah.
Studio Days
A new addition to the schedule in 2025 was studio days. This started with Neighborhood Sundays, a relaxed open studio time. Then, artists-in-residence like Kit and Deanna used that time to test out their own programming creating mini-comics and developing storytelling skills. By May, the Sunday open studio was being led by the team behind SAVage FST self-publishing expo, Kate Sherron and Meredith Laxton, hence the change to SAVage Sundays. I even got in on the fun hosting a couple of kit-bashing sessions using repurposed action figures.
Comic Readings and Networking
To give our locals more time to shine and share, we hosted a few reading sessions. The first was “Right to Read Day” where sections of banned comics were read from our community. Donations were taken up for the American Library Association.
In August, our friend Dani Chuatico, backed by the Utot Komiks Collective, started the Open (co)Mic Night series, formalizing self-published comic readings in an open mic-style format.
And we can’t forget the always-amazing Neighborhood Drink N Draw at White Whale hosted by our pal Anthony.
The Clubhouse Moved and Expanded
Our outlet location, the Neighborhood Comics Clubhouse, moved from its south side location to midtown on Derenne Ave. Still helmed by Fuzzy Needle record store owner Chris with the same great vibe.
We Took Trips
I traveled to Glendale California for the ComicsPro convention of comic shop owners. It’s an exhilarating few days being surrounded by the best minds in the business. We also coordinated a road trip to Connecticut for Indie Comics Creator Con with some of our local comic makers where we tabled and hosted a panel.
Special Events
I mean, what’s the point in being a neighborhood spot if you’re not throwing parties?
Superman Day
Batman Day
Superstar Comic Con Exhibitor (x2)
Organized and curated the Pantone Art Show
Free Comic Book Day (6th Anniversary Party)
Monster High Halloween-in-May
Claudia Celebration
Volunteer Day
Local Comic Shop Day
Comic Trivia
SavageFST Sponsor
Wag-O-Ween
Halloween Trick or Read
Toy Donations for Migrant Equity Southeast
SCAD Mini-Comics Expo
Magic the Gathering
September was the start of Magic the Gathering Mondays. In October these open Commander-play nights extended to Fridays as well. Corbin and Kevin also hosted draft nights and academy classes for new players.
Community Outreach
In the store we hosted six SCAD classes, two Rising Stars high school groups and one middle school field trip. I visited elementary school career fairs and guested on some cool podcasts.
Everything Else
Honestly, we’re missing a ton of things here. We published the latest printing of Kevin’s book Tempo. We hosted a student film premiere. It SNOWED. I chatted up Jim Lee. Archer Jaxx did some great social media shorts. Amazing cosplayers dropped in. We were on TV a couple of times. I don’t know where to stop, so we’re going to draw the line in my preferred format, saying THANK YOU. We wouldn’t exist without you. Here’s to an exciting 2026.